Arizona has several walkable beer cities. Check out our intinerary to visit the top walkable breweries in Flagstaff, Tucson, Mesa, and Phoenix.
Walkable Breweries in Flagstaff
Looking for a great brewery in Flagstaff? Start at Dark Sky Brewing Co. and sip on a refreshingly tart gose paired with the Fripper’s hot dog, which are bound to include locally sourced toppings. The rest of their food menu features top tier bar bites that won’t disappoint. The next stop is a quick 5-minute walk across the tracks to Mother Road Brewing Company, one of the most beloved breweries in Flagstaff. Located on the original Route 66, this Flagstaff staple brings one of the best IPAs in the country to excited Arizona consumers: Tower Station IPA (get one on draft). Historic Brewing Company is also located on the south side of the train tracks and a quick stroll east will get you to this multidimensional foodie’s dream. Historic’s sister company also makes its own wine, which is offered at this location, in addition to great cocktails and top-notch food. Their Piehole Porter will provide a nice sweet dessert twist to your palette. Walk that off with a stroll north of the tracks to Hops on Birch, where visitors can find some beers that are only available at a handful of spots across the state, or grab a local favorite. Hops on Birch is also a great spot for a game of darts.
Walkable Breweries in Downtown Tucson
The food options are limited at breweries in downtown Tucson, so start with lunch at Barrio Brewing. The Barrio Blonde pairs perfectly with tequila cilantro wings to start the day off right. This is the only stop on our beer journey which you may want to catch a ride from (though you can definitely walk to the next brewery). Pueblo Vida is just up the road and is known by many for its incredible hazy IPA’s, but they nail all of the styles. Their hefeweizen is one of the best in AZ. A second taproom for Dillinger Brewing is just a few hundred feet away and they make a killer mango sour with tajin: Mango Nada (ask for the chamoy and tajin rim). Emanating a true vibe of love, Crooked Tooth Brewing has a terrific sour program, but you can’t go wrong with one of their Full Moon series beers which come with a thoughtful story and matching crystals. Around the corner from Crooked Tooth sits Tap & Bottle, a taproom and beer store with a wide range of brews, tons of events, and plenty of community involvement. Wrap up your Tucson beer crawl with the delectable Noche Dulce Vanilla Porter at Borderlands Brewing (who now has two brewery locations in Tucson), whose taproom is located in an iconic historic brick building.
Walkable Breweries in Downtown Mesa
Mesa is one of the largest metropolitan cities in the country and at its heart sits a beer lover’s dream. Main Street and Robson provide the crossroads for arguably the best crawl in the state. The anchor is Cider Corps. Spend a few minutes learning about their unique story as you try some of their epic ciders. I challenge you to not fall in love with this place. It doesn’t stop with delicious cider, as you can enjoy Mykes Pizza, which has some of the best pies in AZ. Need a boost? Pair Cupworks coffee will keep you charged with a well-executed drink lineup also inside of the Cider Corps building. Burn off some of that energy across the street at one of the most unique breweries in Mesa as you play nostalgia-inducing arcade games and pinball machines at B.R.I. Taproom & Arcade. Try the Rice Krispy Bois Rice Lager to keep hydrated and light on your feet! Across Main Street is one of Arizona’s best breweries: Oro Brewing. Try their Singular Hop Series, a rotating pale ale that gives you a fun chance to see what individual hops taste like. Or, go the opposite direction with Give Peat a Chance, a smoked porter that uses peated malt for some great smoky flavor. Right around the corner sits Chupacabra Taproom, a fan favorite with a great local-and-beyond beer list. Less than a block away the same folks behind Chupacabra are preparing to open the upcoming Phantom Fox Beer Co. (what will be the newest brewery in Mesa), bringing their game to the brewing world. Another short jaunt east brings you to 12 West Brewing whose options run the gambit: beer, cocktails, and food. The crisp and refreshing Zona Pilsner at 12 West is one of the best in its category in Arizona and is a great match with the Green Chile Mac and Cheese.
Walkable Breweries in Downtown Phoenix
Roosevelt Row is the art center of Phoenix, most noticeable during First Friday Art Walks, but the street also boasts a great beer crawl opportunity. The intention and thought behind the food and beer at Arizona Wilderness Brewing DTPHX Beer Garden make this the perfect first brewery in downtown Phoenix. Grab a farmhouse ale with an Arizona Grass Raised Beef burger to experience a true taste of Arizona. You want to know what authentic European beers taste like, but want to stay in Arizona? Venture across Roosevelt St. to Pedal Haus Brewing. Their gold medal-winning Bière Blanche is a traditional Belgian wheat beer that is one of the best brews in the state. A three minute walk brings you to Greenwood Brewing, a bright beautiful space with plenty of outdoor seating. The Rosemary IPA is one of our top recommendations. If you want to taste a bunch of different beers at your own pace visit Tap That Downtown, which has a self-pour tap wall packed with some of the best craft beers in the state.
written by: eric walters | photographed by luke irvin